If there was ever a DIY-cosmetics product as hyped and universally loved as avocado pasta, I think a gingerbread face mask would be it. Which is why I’ve decided to start this series on homemade cosmetics with just that.
The mask looks and smells exactly like gingerbread sauce, and is also incredibly effective. The red clay which makes up the base of the mask is gentle enough for even sensitive skin, making the mask suitable for all skin types. The powder formula makes it quick and easy to put together.
Gingerbread Mask
(just under) ½ cups red clay
1 tbsp. raw cacao powder
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp clove
1 tsp acerola cherry powder
1 tsp matcha tea powder
1 tsp vitamin C powder
Measure the ingredients into a bowl, stir carefully and move into a clean, half-a-cup sized jar. The mask is made by mixing powder with water (0.5 tbsp. of powder to ¼ cups of water) and left to sit on the face for thirty minutes or until it is dry. Rinse with warm water.
All ingredients, apart from the vitamin C powder, should be available in most eco-shops or health food stores; the vitamin powder can be omitted, or you can order it online from the Aroma Zone (where you can also get acerola powder). DIY-cosmetics is fairly relaxed – you can customize recipes to your liking, and omit harder-to-come-by ingredients.
A Short Guide to the Ingredients
Acerola: rich in vitamin C, evens out discoloration and smoothes out fine lines.
Vitamin C: an important antioxidant that boosts blood circulation in the top dermal layers, improves collagen and elastin synthesis, protects the skin from UV-damage, repairs discoloration, and helps to prevent couperosa. Very sensitive skins should be careful when using the vitamin in homemade products, as large quantities can cause redness and burning.
Cacao powder: raw cacao powder is high in antioxidants, magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, copper, and potassium. Helps to relieve infections, brightens the skin, and minimizes pores.
Matcha: very high in antioxidants and chlorophyll. Detoxes the skin, calms infections, brightens skin tone, and smoothes out the skin.
Red clay: high in silicon dioxide or silica, a substance which strengthens the capillaries and brightens the skin tone. Cleansing and detoxifying. Excellent for rosacea, couperosa, sunburns and psoriasis. Boosts circulation in the top dermal layers, helps to lighten scars.
Have you ever made your own cosmetics?
Photos Katja Kokko
Translation Katja Nikula
